trông chừng
Definition
- Verb:
- To keep an eye on / to watch over: To observe or monitor someone or something carefully, often to ensure safety, prevent problems, or supervise.
- To be careful / to watch out: To be cautious or mindful of a potential danger or problem.
Usage Examples
Verb (to keep an eye on):
- Bạn có thể trông chừng túi xách của tôi một lát được không? (Can you keep an eye on my bag for a moment?)
- Người bảo mẫu trông chừng lũ trẻ. (The nanny is watching over the children.)
Verb (to be careful):
- Trông chừng kẻo ngã. (Be careful, or you might fall.)
- Lái xe trông chừng đường trơn. (Drive carefully; the road is slippery.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies a sense of duty, caution, or temporary responsibility. It can be used in both imperative warnings ("Trông chừng!") and descriptive statements about supervision.
Variants and Related Words
Coi chừng (v): A near-synonymous phrase meaning "to watch out" or "to beware."
- Coi chừng chó dữ. (Beware of the fierce dog.)
Trông nom (v): To look after, to take care of (often with a sense of nurturing).
- Bà ấy trông nom ngôi nhà. (She looks after the house.)
Synonyms
- To watch over: To supervise or guard.
- To mind: To pay attention to, especially for safety.
- To look out for: To be vigilant about.
Related Idioms
- While "trông chừng" itself is a common phrase, it is frequently used in direct, cautionary expressions rather than in fixed idiomatic constructions.